BAIT AND SWITCH
image courtesy of photobucket.com
He had it all… Television good looks, a deep radio voice, and a charismatic personality. I remember seeing him on the local news channel when I was a kid and thinking to myself, “That guy’s got it all”! I don’t remember what channel he was on, there were only a handful back then, but he seemed to be every where; special events, fund raisers, commercials, and even some sporting events.
He had one of those personalities that made people like him, even if they didn’t even know him, kinda like the character of Ron Burgundy in the movie Anchorman, only better looking and much whiter teeth.
It was this local celebrity with his smooth talkin’, suave looking, sincerity laden rhetoric, that kept appearing on the local TV station pitching ads for a big local car dealership. He ranted about the incredible deals to be had only at that particular dealership and only for a limited time.
“No down payment and a low, low monthly payment”! was the catch phrase in the commercials he starred in. He’d always open the commercials introducing himself, for us locals, it was like when Johnny Cash introduced himself… “Yeah – Hello”! – “Everyone knows who are, but it sure is cool when you say it”!
I was young and dumb, which would also cover somewhat innocent and gullible… I couldn’t afford the cars I wanted, but I could afford that super duper deal of the century, especially with no money down! I was about to learn a lesson or two of the cold hard facts of life… What I like to call, “Wisdom the hard way.”
I ventured down town to the central area where all the car dealerships were at the time. There it was, no way you could miss the car parked on the roof. It would be years before I put together the physiological effects of raising your chin into the air and the positive emotions emanating from that physical act.
Oh, they were good, I mean really good! I couldn’t recognize that smirk on a person’s face that could read the sign I didn’t know I had on my forehead that read, “Sucker”… “What can we do for you today”? the salesman asked in an overly friendly way. I mumbled something about the TV special. “Ahh -Yes”! – “Just step inside here and I’ll have them bring it around”!
The salesman without a soul led me like a sheep to slaughter… I was looking around like a fool, half expecting to see Mr. Local Celebrity somewhere on the premises. A few minutes later he came back and said something like, “I’m sorry, we just sold the last one of those, but I have some even better I can show you”!
You know the rest of the story… Tax, license, doc fees, transfer fees, Mr. Local Celebrity fees… Next thing you know a fool and what little money he had were parted. My first real life lesson in the ways of the ole’ bait and switch technique.
Things aren’t always what they seem. I was too young to realize the local celebrity was just doing the best he could to make his way in life. He continued to do well for years, but like all things in life, there is change… and so did he. I haven’t seen him on TV for over a decade now.
Like all of us, famous or not, Mr. Celebrity will make a choice here on earth as to where he’ll spend eternity, just like all of us. Only God knows for sure the number of our days.
The local celebrity’s days ended a couple of weeks ago… They found him and his wife dead in a local hotel room.
With a suicide note…
Monday, February 20, 2012 @ 10:37 am
Yikes. Just another reminder to look for the genuine and sincere truths in this world, not just the shiny, slick ones.
We do each make our choices. May the Lord help us make the best ones! Thanks for this, Floyd.
And I do hope you’ll write about the tree in the Biosphere. It will be good.
Monday, February 20, 2012 @ 2:36 pm
Thanks Lisa. We never really know what’s going on in the heart of a person do we? I’ll get around to the tree post, and thanks for the encouraging post to make me think of it again.
Monday, February 20, 2012 @ 12:25 pm
That’s why discernment is a great gift to have and to hone…great post bro’!
Monday, February 20, 2012 @ 2:38 pm
Thanks for stopping by Jay, and thanks for the comment. Yeah, discernment wasn’t my strong suit… Funny how the desires of our flesh seem to have a play in that equation!
Monday, February 20, 2012 @ 6:25 pm
Sad to say we too have been hood winked in our earlier days. Very badly I must say to the tune of thousands of dollars. Problem is you think you can trust someone and they are only the middle person and the thief is behind the door smirking. Good example of what to beware and take heed of the glorious white teeth!
I thank April for trying to help you with your blog, but it is difficult to read with the large dark area on the right. Perhaps I need new glasses. Sorry April!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 @ 7:02 am
Thanks Hazel. I guess all of us have been there at one time or another. It would be better if it was all sun backlit, I’ll have to maybe look for that kind of setting to take one.
Monday, February 20, 2012 @ 9:02 pm
Kinda like Satan cons us into sin, isn’t it? Hmmm. Great metaphor again, Floyd.
Blessings,
Voni
Monday, February 20, 2012 @ 9:12 pm
Thanks Voni. Tough ways to come up with wisdom isn’t it?
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 @ 12:01 am
What a sobering story. Thanks for sharing, Floyd. (BTW, I like the new site design.)
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 @ 7:03 am
Thanks Chuck. Yeah, when I heard the news it caught me off guard. Here was a guy who looked like he had everything. I guess he did in this life, just probably not the only Thing that really counts.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 @ 8:38 am
This is a sad, sad story for so many reasons; I think the saddest part of all is that too many stories end like this.
The things of the world are foolishness to God. Without Jesus there is no hope – no hope at all.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 @ 10:40 am
I thought the same thing Pat. “What does it prophet a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul”? It was a shock… There was also a man in our city who was known as one of the most successful business men. When the real estate market tanked he killed himself in his new mansion. It is sad, you’d think more people would be looking for the Truth?
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 @ 2:16 pm
Yes, there is profound sadness in this post, all the deception makes a soul grow weary! Good reminders of what we can learn from others, in all facets of life.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 @ 2:33 pm
It does truly make a soul grow weary. Well said. It does push us closer to God, which in the end, can only be a blessing. Thanks Audra.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 @ 3:20 pm
Wow, the reminders are everywhere but it doesn’t mean they aren’t still sad. You know these celebrities with “perfect lives” and “everything they could want” are not factual representations, but we can fool ourselves into that way of thinking. Apart from the love of Christ, nothing is completely as it appears. Good reminder, Floyd. Thanks.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 @ 3:40 pm
Your right Jason, “Apart from the love of Christ, nothing is completely as it appears.” Well said. Thanks.